2007-2008 NHL Hockey Thread

[Chris]

Any hockey fans here on EB?

Any predictions?

I'll humbly predict my Leafs aren't going to win old Stanley and I have serious doubts about them making the playoffs.

I'll also predict that if they aren't in a playoff position by the end of the calender year that John Ferguson Jr. will be fired. Most likely in time for a new GM to make deals before the trade deadline.

As far as what team will win it all...

Hard to say.

I don't think any team got significantly better or worse.

So I'd say the Sabres, Sens, and Ducks are still pretty strong. And the Wings always ice a solid team.

I think the Flyers will be signifcantly improved over last year.

Over to y'all. :)

[Chris E]

as long as leaf fans are stupid enough to sell out the acc every time they are playing, nothing will ever change. the leafs don't need to spend big bucks on payroll or talent, that arena sells out every night - from a business stand point, they are making a killing and laughing all the way to the bank. sad but true.

[Chris]

Well with regard to the Leafs...

With the salary cap now in place, they can't be criticised for not spending enough on team payroll. That point is basically mute.

The problem is that they should be spending money on the best front office staff money can buy. And instead we've got a inexperienced GM that they obviously don't have much faith in as they're talking about trying to hire someone to teach him how to do his job.

And I agree, until something gives and it costs them money for losing, I doubt much will change. At this point all they are is a revenue stream for the Teacher's Pension Fund.

The best thing that could happen to the Leafs is that the Pension Fund sells the team to a real owner who will run the team for fun.

Calling Jim Basille! :sssh:

[Chris E]

well, i'll give the teachers one thing - they sure know how to make money!

[Chris]

No doubt there! :eyecrazy: :)

[Chris]

Hey!

The Leafs are looking not too bad. :thumb:

They played Ottawa tough.

Although it's hard to know how on their (Ottawa) game they are at this point in the season.

And they looked good against the Habs.

Toskala looks like he can play, which is probably the most important thing. :thumb:

[83PREDICTOR]

Tampa Bay Lightning all the way. "Hockey Bay USA"

[Chris]

You a fan '83?

The perception "up here" is that there aren't too many hockey fans down south.

[Chris]

Oh man...the Leafs are a mess.

Something has to give very shortly I would think.

This can't continue. :yell:

[Chris E]

they could start by getting rid of raycroft and firing ferguseon - which i here is very close to happening.

[Chris]

Chris,

I have you been listening to the Fan at all?

Lots of rumours are floating around now.

One is that JFJ tried to fire Paul Maurice last week but was stopped from doing so.

That might indicate the writing is on the wall for JFJ me thinks.

[Chris E]

no, usually bill watters on 640 via the net, interesting, watters insists that maurice is a good coach, but it's hard to do with a lack of talent or motivation, they really called it in on saturday night. i think the stat they mentioned was 30th in the league in defense - perhaps they need a serious shakeup. send a few of those players back to the minors for a while. maurice looked so frustrated saturday - you could see it in his face.

[Chris]

Their team defence is just horrible.

It seems like no one on the Leafs wants to play defence, including the defence themselves.

To me JFJ has done a horrible job.

[Chris E]

and i'm hereing right this minute that jfj is on his way out, maybe peddie too.

[Chris]

Yeah, they've been saying something is going to happen "soon" all day.

Now what do we call tonight's result?

Loss...tie?

I hate shootouts. They're dumb.

And the fact you lose and get a point is dumber.

To me, either you win the game and get two points, or you tie and get one.

But losing and getting one is stupid.

[Chris]

Hey Chris,

One of the paper rags is reporting that Tennanbaum is quoted as saying JFJ's performance will be evaluated in January.

I guess winning one game every half dozen or so, buys you a month in Toronto. :yell: :p :)

[Chris]

Leafs Win! Leafs Win!

I think they're in the running for Lord Stanley's Mug!

Time to mortgage what's left of the future to try to win it! :rof:

[Chris E]

3 game winning streak - they are on their way now!!!!!

[Chris]

Hopefully they'll win tonight. :)

[Chris]

Leafs win! Leafs win!

They're in eighth.

Close the downtown core and plan the parade route. :D

[Chris]

Down goes McCabe! :brickwall:

He finally starts playing really well and now he's out. :yell:

Cancel the parade. :p

[Chris E]

vesa had a great game last night - if only the rest of the team could get it together!

[Chris]

I like the rumour floating around about the Leafs trading for a defencemen now that McCabe is on the shelf.

Isn't that like the last thing they need?

What they need to do is get rid of their overpriced defencemen. Not go out and spend more on additional ones. :shakehead: :)

[Chris]

Go Raycroft! :D

I'll bet his trade value has never been higher! :rolleyes:

[Chris]

They're running out of goalies! :rof:

How long until the fans at the ACC are jeering Clemmensen? :rolleyes:

[Chris]

Cliff to the rescue! :thumb:

I think we're going to be O.K. now. :)

[Chris]

Well with that loss, I would suspect the Leafs are now on life support.

So I suppose now, we won't make the playoffs and we won't get a high draft pick either.

Same old, same old. :yell:

[Chris E]

lets think about this for a minute - wouldn't it have made more sense to have management tell the players - "we'll pay a bonus for the player who plays the worst during the regular season" just to get #1 draft pick. they are underachievers - that goal should have been within reach. what do they do - lets go win a few to screw up the draft - well done boys! see you on the links!

[Chris]

I guess Cliff tried to gut the team at the trade deadline, but couldn't because of all the no-trade clauses.

It might have been different if he had of been able to trade away the overpaid vets.

[Chris]

Any Cup predictions? :)

[Chris E]

how about san jose vs. canadians?

[Chris]

San Jose somewhat reminds me of the Sens, in that they are always favoured on paper to win the west but always seemingly find a way to lose.

From the East, I'm liking the eventual winner of the Rangers/NJ matchup and Pittsburgh

From the West, I'm liking Detroit and Aneheim.